Brainlab, a manufacturer of software-driven medical technology, has introduced Elements automatic brain metastases planning software that will simplify stereotactic radiosurgery planning for metastatic brain tumors.
Elements automatic brain metastases planning, which is the newest addition to the Brainlab’s Elements A La Carte software portfolio, selects a group of metastases in such a way that the ‘multi-leaf collimator,’ or treatment beam shaper, fits to the shapes of these selected targets without leaving gaps.
An optimized ‘volumetric conformal’ radiosurgery plan will be generated by the algorithm within minutes after all metastases have been outlined and the clinical user can focus on reviewing and approving the plan in various innovative and comprehensive views.
Brainlab claims that with the new treatment concept, the software creates an optimized dose distribution whether one or ten metastases are being treated.
University of Texas Health Science Center chief medical physicist Niko Papanikolaou said: "The Brainlab Automated Brain Metastases Planning software enables a ‘monitor-unit’, and time-efficient treatment planning and delivery, while reducing the dose to healthy brain tissue.
"This novel approach to the treatment of metastatic brain tumors from Brainlab can potentially benefit several patients that are currently receiving whole brain radiation.
"We can now plan and treat metastatic brain cancer, for patients with larger volumes and higher number of metastases without the anticipated association of a decline in neurocognitive function," Papanikolaou added.
The Elements automatic brain metastases planning will be showcased by the company at the 2014 American Association of Physicists in Medicine annual meeting and exhibition, from 20 July to 24 July, in Austin, Texas.
Image: Automatic Brain Metastases Planning Software by Brainlab. Photo: Courtesy of Business Wire